Like the children we are (no matter our actual age or spiritual maturity) we run hard from truth that may hurt, we hide evidence of the leftover cookie crumbs of sin, we ask for a bandaid to cover our wounds when what we really need is surgery for our souls. We are desperate for our God who loves us enough to send obstacles to slow our frantic pace, says that it's ok to sweep our messy sins right up to his throne, and isn't afraid to rip the band-aid off when necessary.
Mark 1:15 says, "The Kingdom of God is near. Repent of your sins and believe the Good News!"
Repenting is God's way of admitting we're wrong and literally turning away from our sin. But because God parents his children in perfect love he doesn't stop there. Our Father is FOR OUR FREEDOM. When he asks us to turn away from something, it's because he has something eternally better in mind. Thankfully we don't have to wait an eternity to experience His promises. When we come before God and admit and apologize (two words I use with my own daughters often), God begins the hard work with us of clearing out the clutter of our souls to make space for His kingdom. One of God's love languages is giving good gifts. They're the type of gifts you'll never need to keep the receipt for because there's no such thing as refunds or exchanges. Perfect Love knows the exact size of your need and the specific quantity of gift necessary to fill your deepest, truest desires...peace, love, joy, mercy, forgiveness, meekness, faith, hope...It's never too much and never too little. God is good, His gifts are real, they're available right now, and they're so much lighter than any pre-repentant load we could ever carry.
Jena M.
